As the Congress once again rallies to pass healthcare reform legislation, momentum is growing in many states to pass laws to block the changes -- a move that could lead to a legal battle over states' sovereignty.
Bills and resolutions have been introduced in at least 36 state legislatures seeking to limit or oppose various aspects of the reform plan through laws or state constitutional amendments, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
"There's going to be a big free-for-all lawsuit about this," said Michael Bird, legislative counsel for the NCSL.
The House of Representatives is to due vote on Sunday on a sweeping healthcare overhaul that would require all Americans to have health insurance, but would give subsidies to help low- and middle-income workers. It would also ban insurance practices like refusing coverage to those with pre-existing medical conditions.
Opposition efforts at the state level "in general ... seek to make or keep health insurance optional, and allow people to purchase any type of coverage they may choose," the NCSL said.
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As health insurance reform passes the House 219-212, how will this legislation affect you? The individual mandate will soon effectively make 30 million Americans criminals and subject to fines. The only guarantee is that you will have to buy insurance and the IRS is now involved. The "good parts" of this legislation are still 4 years away but many of the shockwaves start today. Below is a round-up of health insurance reform
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*A look at the health care overhaul bill
*How the Health Care Overhaul Could Affect You
*Health Care Passage Hinged On Abortion Language
*Attorneys General in South Carolina and Florida Set to Sue on Health Care Reform
*Idaho is first to challenge federal health care mandate
*VIDEO: John Boehner - 'We have failed to listen to America'
